“He deserves better” – Bengals’ Tee Higgins signing his franchise tag after weeks of holdout sparks WILD reactions on social media

After the Bengals announced that they were placing the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, football fans claimed it was unfair for the receiver.

“He deserves better” – Bengals’ Tee Higgins signing his franchise tag after weeks of holdout sparks WILD reactions on social media

The Bengals tag Tee Higgins (Image via IMAGO)

The Cincinnati Bengals have avoided another Jessie Bates situation with Tee Higgins. After months of holding out for a long-term contract, the wide receiver has decided to accept the franchise tag.

It means Higgins will earn $21.8 million in the 2024 season before becoming a free agent at the end of it. This is good news considering the Bengals lacked in the receiver department apart from Jaā€™Marr Chase, who also wants a lucrative extension.

They avoided the repeat of Jessie Batesā€™ situation, as the safety refused to participate in any team training activities in 2022. He only re-joined the squad a week before the season began. Fortunately, this will not be the case with Higgins according to his agent David Mulugheta and SIā€™s James Rapien. The 25-year-old has agreed to participate in the training camp.

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Football fans believe Tee Higgins deserves better treatment from the Bengals

The 2020 second-round pick has been a solid performer for the Bengals alongside Chase. He may not be the WR1 but he constantly gave the LSU alumni a run for his money.

"He deserves better" - Bengals' Tee Higgins signing his franchise tag after weeks of holdout sparks WILD reactions on social media
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (Image via IMAGO)

If Higgins did not aggravate his hamstring injury midway through the season, then he was on the path to a third consecutive year crossing the 1000 receiving yards threshold. He only plays 12 games gaining 656 yards with an average of 15.6 yards after catch scoring 5 touchdowns.

The Bengals missed his output during the latter half of the 2023 season after Joe Burrow sat out injuring his throwing hand. He is coming to the end of his rookie contract and was reportedly eyeing a lengthy stay and fight for the Super Bowl. The franchise tag will now force him to stay in Cincinnati for one year.

Burrow spoke with the media following the news about Tee Higgins getting tagged. He revealed keeping in touch with him the whole process and wants to link up with him in the training ground as early as possible.

Tee [Higgins] and I are always talking. I've seen Tee several times this offseason. He looks great. Whenever he's ready to come back I'll be excited to see him.
Burrow said per Bengals columnist, Mike Petraglia.

Itā€™s not certain when Higgins will join his teammates as they prepare for their season opener against the New England Patriots on September 7 at Paycor Stadium.

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